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Research sponsored by Fate Therapeutics has discovered a combination of three traditional small-molecule chemical compounds that can trigger adult human cells to transform into induced pluripotent stem cells. The researchers said the new method is cheaper and twice as fast compared with the ones currently used in producing the cells. Getting consistent results is one hurdle that the study still must address, the researchers said.

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Fate Therapeutics reduced its workforce from about 40 people to about 25 people and ceased work on small-molecule drugs in an effort to focus on biotech drugs, said John Mendlein, executive chairman of the San Diego stem cell firm. "Biologics are not redundant with what other people are working on. Biologics are proprietary," Mendlein said.

The FDA declined approval of the use of Rituxan in earlier stages of rheumatoid arthritis because of the drug's association with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a potentially fatal brain disease. Rituxan, which is developed by Genentech and Biogen Idec, is marketed to treat moderate to severe RA in patients who have undergone treatment with methotrexate and other similar treatments.

Biogen Idec has extended to Dec. 16 its $14.50-per-share takeover offer for Facet Biotech, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offer had been scheduled to expire today. Biogen sees the offer price as "a substantial premium to where Facet Biotech's stock was trading prior to our offer," CEO James Mullen said.

Research sponsored by Fate Therapeutics has discovered a combination of three traditional small-molecule chemical compounds that can trigger adult human cells to transform into induced pluripotent stem cells. The researchers said the new method is cheaper and twice as fast compared with the ones currently used in producing the cells. Getting consistent results is one hurdle that the study still must address, the researchers said.

OriGene Technologies, a provider of gene cloning and gene expression profiling equipment, agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to purchase Marligen Biosciences. The deal will allow OriGene to acquire Marligen's line of gene expression analysis, genotyping and other technologies that help scientists decipher biological information on genes and proteins.